SHILLONG: From a newspaper hawker to an editor of a local vernacular daily, Anthony Nongbri has now decided to try his luck in the field of politics.
Nongbri is entering a new phase of his career as he is contesting the upcoming district council’s election from Laitumkhrah-Malki as a candidate of the UDP.
He (Nongbri) would take on sitting MDC and Congress candidate Antonio War, Meristila Wahlang of the NCP, Probety Nongpluh of KHNAM and an independent candidate.
Despite there are five candidates on the fray, Laitumkhrah-Malki constituency is having a two-corner contest between Nongbri and War.
While speaking to newsmen after filing his nomination on Friday, Nongbri said it was the trust and faith of the people of his locality (Malki) which has inspired him to contest the upcoming district council election.
‘I have never thought of joining politics. But it is plan of God which have landed me into this field,” he said.
Acknowledging that he does not have money to contest the election, he however feels that that it is support of the people which would help him win this election.
“I know I can contribute more for the people after winning,” Nongbri said.
Asked who will be his strong opponent, Nongbri said, “Winning against the sitting MDC is not easy.”
However Nongbri was optimistic that since the constituency wants to see a change the regional party will come out successful after 25 years.
It may be mentioned that Nongbri joined the print media in 1992 as the sub-editor and joint-editor of a vernacular daily, Rupang. Since then there was no looking back for the orphan who had to fend for four of his siblings.
His hard work and dedication to the cause of the people of the state through his writings was also as the joint editor of U Peitngor.
He was elevated to the post of an editor of Ri Hynniewtrep Mynta and as the publisher and editor of Kyrsiew.
Nongbri was not only a journalist and the oldest member of the Shillong Press Club and an executive member of the Meghalaya Editors and Publishers Association.
He took work seriously and did not shy away from selling newspapers and also became the president of the Meghalaya Newspapers, Hawkers & Vendors Association (MNH&VA) to fight for their cause.
Nongbri was also a former Joint Secretary of the Dorbar Shnong Malki Pyllun. He was a member of the National Service Volunteer (NSV), District Advisory Committee of Youth Programme (DACYP) and State Selection Committee for Youth Club Award (SSCYCA). His contribution in the society therefore earned him the District Youth Leadership Award in 1997 from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.